Salary requirements for job Q
 

I have my resume out and a company sent me a question about salary requirement. It is a supervisory position but I do not know the details.

Is it common for company's to ask this over the net with out even talking to me?
This is the first time this has happened to me and I do not want to answer them this without knowing about the job but do not want to miss out on an opportunity.

Seems strange they would ask this without talking to me first.
I think the company I work for now is a sinking ship and am looking for new opportunity's.

The now company.
Some may remember back in December they did not have funds to make payroll and now they are cutting the pay package and I think there is a hole in the cash register as someone here mentioned.
They made payroll but I think it`s time to move on.

I generally find weeding out candidates purely on salary expectations is a poor approach.

I'd have to have a serious lack of alternative options to consider such an employer.

YMMV.

Yes it is common this days to ask what you want for pay first. I've had it happen several times during my job search.

There was another thread on the subject several months ago.

I would think they are asking because they want to narrow the list of people to interview to those who are willing to accept what they have available to pay. Puts you in a bit of a blind spot. I would respond "my salary requirements are negotiable." Something so simple that it can help you get your foot in the door for an interview and will help you in the long run — naming a number too high could make them apprehensive about bringing you in, and identifying a number too low could hurt your chances of securing the best possible salary.

I tell them it is a "total compensation package" and not just salary.

Medical, 401K, profit sharing, bonus, vacation time off, all can be negotiated. I'll work for a cheaper salary if they give me 1-2 weeks more vacation time off a year.

If they push for a number, just state "industry going standard", but answer their question with the question, what ball park were you asking for?

Rusty has the right approach, IMHO. Typically I side step the question by saying, "I'm not confident I know enough about the role, company, etc. to make a proper assessment."

There's just so much more to consider other than salary, I'd hate for this Q to be THE determining factor.

Al

I would say something like, "It is my understanding a compensation package is negotiated between parties to match requirements and responsibilities. I am interested in a position with your company, however I don't consider stating a salary requirement an appropriate starting point without face to face conversation first." Just be up front with it, and remember you are interviewing and evaluating them as much as they are you.

I'd definitely lob the ball back in their court. I would respond: "My salary requirements are reflective of the total compensation package and responsibilities of the position including areas like on-target-earnings, travel, benefits, etc... Once we have discussed the position in more detail I believe we can come up with a mutually beneficial compensation target."

Were I looking for someone in an executive position, I'd ask this question and would probably weed out the people who just gave me a number.

Funny, I answered a recruiter call yesterday with "if you have to ask, you can't afford it".

He thought I was joking.

Chris's answer is what I've always used. Usually it elicits a response that tells me what they're willing to pay. If it doesnt, I ask them what their internal scale is. At least that way I can tell if their in market.

Key is to know what your value is on the free market. Do some homework on that first before answering any questions about your pay. It should be about your value, not what you're paid.

All these snappy responses are great when you have a job but when I was out of work for 18 months I needed answer the question that will get you to the next level. Being cute will get your resume in the can.

It's a tough question.

There are probably several reasons diff companies ask, but I think one main one is they don't want to waste time going down the road with someone who is way off on salary expectation. I.e., for a $40K job, they don't want to waste time with someone who has a $90K minimum.

But, I also think they don't necessarily expect you to give them an answer. IMO, I'd do everything and anything possible to NOT give a number. It's really a no win situation for you - unless you have some inside info and can get close to their number, your number has a good chance of being too low (in which case they'll view you as too cheap/not good enough) or too high (in which case you are out of the running).

Also, I think some companies don't view you favorably if you cave too easily on this question, esp. if it is for a higher level position, or a position that involves any kind of negotating skills.

Paul is correct. It may not be a fair question, it might not be a good question, but it is a sincere question and how you handle it depends on whether you make it to the next level and get considered for the position.

The problem is that you're being asked to buy a pig in a poke. You don't know what the job demands are, so you don't know what you'd do the job for. They may not even be considering you now, and are simply sending what is for them a form letter to all applicants to see whether you would fit within their salary tiers at all.

Can you contact anyone in the company to get more information about the job? Can you call the HR manager or the hiring manager without risking bothering him as one of a thousand applicants asking about salary before even getting to the interview stage? What you want to do, if possible, is turn this into an oportunity to learn more about the company in a way that demonstrates you are interested in that company and that job specifically, and not just interested in a generic job of any kind because you need a paycheck.

One approach can be to respond saying that you currently make something in the X range, but that you are motivated to work for super-fantastic company because open job is the dream job you've always wanted. Therefore, you aren't able to give a hard salary requirement for open job until you've had a conversation with the hiring manager about the duties of open job and the value you add to the company. And you look forward to that conversation and a long, mutually satisfying relationship with super-fantastic company.

Did I hit all the buzwords?

I tell them what I'm making now, salary and commission, and that I'm pretty happy at my current job and would need something very lucrative to consider leaving. Some sales jobs will want to see your W2 or commission files anyway, so there's no point in lying about that.

In the last thread bout this someone said that companies who ask this question up front are only looking to see if they are paying too much currently.

every single job in my field i have applied to has asked to provide "salary requirements".

as i see it, employers and companies, bosses and mangers have turned into a bunch of A holes

good luck

Thanks to all.
I think I am going to email them back and try to get more information on what the job description is and try to see what level of management they are looking for.
I would hate to just give a number not knowing what the position is.

Also try to get a sit down with someone to explain what they are looking for.
There is some great advice here.

It looks to me like the days of just saying come on in and lets talk are over for most company's. I have not looked for work in some time and it looks like a bottom line profit kind of market. Trying to get people as cheap as possible is the new way of hiring. I almost told one HR person to screw himself yesterday. Do some company's think everyone is so hard up they can offer 1980 wages.Jeeez

Thanks again to all that responded.

this has been my exact experience for the past 2 1/2 years. it never used to be this way. since 9/11 and the recession, it seems i have a better chance of visiting mars than getting my foot in the door.

in my field, everyone knows what the "going rate" is for job X with X amount of experience, so why the hell are they asking me to name a $. I refuse and would rather eat dirt than low ball myself and say $30K when I should be making $100K.

to that end, i just say, "very flexible" with the hopes that I can discuss it in person like real people used to do

BTW, my strategy does not work, so good luck to you

p.s Dirt doesnt taste very good

Good idea to try to go there to try to get more info. If you can, it may be a chance to make an impression. If they agree to it, maybe you can get a look firsthand at the job situation which means you might be presented with a chance for an impromptu interview.

It is a sad commentary on the day.

I remember way back in the day, I was going for my 2nd "real" job.

My mother told me whatever you do do not name your price, do whatever you need to get them to make an offer.

So I'm interviewing with the owner and we start talking money, "what are you looking for?" "what are you offerring?" "well what would make you leave your current job?" "well what range do you have budgeted?" Back and forth we went till I ran out of responses and blurted out a number that I thought was on the high side. Guy does not even hesitate and says "DEAL". Then he leans back and says "I though for sure you were going to cost me a lot more"

F**K!

That's some funny stuff right there....

I thought I was smart asking for a salary range for my current job, however they sent me a description and a range of +-$32,000! My first thought was, on the higher end I'm interested, but on the lower end no thanks. Worked out well as they offered me the higher end:)

It looks like they are just fishing. I got an email stating I have to give them a price tag before they will talk. Still looking.
Funny thing I know a couple people working there and just got off the phone with one and the last guy in the position quite because they where cutting his wage. One more is looking for a new job also. Screw them.

Seems they are getting rid of the old timers with the higher wages and looking for new people at a lower pay level. Its not like the company is not making money it just looks like corp. greed.

Life is to short for this crap. I do not see the bills getting any lower, what is going to happen with the folks just starting out. It`s a sad time for the USA in terms of making a livable wage as the standards of the corp. greed and the working people get farther apart.

People at the top of their pay scale are often the first to get let go and are either not replaced or are replaced with much cheaper talent. Companies aren't in business to make you live well. Don't like it? Start your own business. Play the game or go home.

sorry to say this but this is absolutely typical AND, those looking for work who have paid their dues and know their stuff and should get a decent wage are being passed over for newbies who are desperate for their first job.

I speak from experience

It's a very standard question now a days. I prefer to see someone's face and responses when I ask the question, but have been asked it in emails, over the phone, etc.

Some good advice here, best is to understand the company the culture and what else they are offering. There are somethings that are worth more than money like flexible time and telecommuting.

If asked, just say I would prefer to discuss this in person so I can learn more about the position and Company.

One thing I have found is the younger generation (at least up here) have never known what it's like to be hungry so they expect the moon.

If backed into a corner ask what the range is for the position.

Good luck

It happend to me many times. I was a little more active at the time. Usually, when they ask this question, especially in the early stage, they are offering low or very low and if you require more than they can afford, they won't waste their and your time.
I hate company post job without salary.